New coordinator Bruce Arians is not keeping it a secret that he will make the long pass a staple of the offense
Saturday, August 18, 2007

Charlie Batch has appeared for 24 snaps in two games, a number he might not exceed when the Steelers (1-1) play the Washington Redskins (1-0) at 8 p.m. in a preseason game at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.

But, when they have played, Roethlisberger and Batch -- even No. 3 Brian St. Pierre -- have not wasted any time demonstrating what the offense might look like this season under new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.

It isn't that the Steelers are throwing the ball more. In fact, they have run the ball more times (65) than they have thrown (55) in two preseason games. But, when they throw the ball, they haven't been shy about throwing deep, deep, deep.

"It makes us eager to know we're finally using the weapons we have on the outside," Roethlisberger said.

In two games, the Steelers have produced four passing plays of 41 yards or longer and another of 26 yards. That does not include passes of 33 yards to running back Carey Davis and 24 yards to running back Gary Russell -- short passes that resulted in long gains.

And it does not include several other deep passes that were attempted and not completed, including a diving attempt by Nate Washington against the Green Bay Packers.

"We have a lot of guys who can make plays," said Roethlisberger, who has completed 4 of 5 passes for 87 yards in two games. "I threw one to Ced [Wilson], Santonio [Holmes] got one last week, and we all know Hines [Ward] can do it, and Nate. It's exciting to see those guys in action."

It's no accident.

Arians not only likes to throw the ball, but he also likes to throw it deep. And he believes he has the players to do it, beginning with his quarterback and a stable of receivers that also could include Willie Reid, a third-round pick in 2006 who missed most of last season with a foot injury.

It is also the reason Arians likes to use three tight ends on occasion -- to open the seams and create deep throws down the middle.

"We have to go downtown at least five times a game, whether it's play action or long passes," Arians said. "We have too much speed not to take our shots downfield. You have to get big chunks of yardage in this league to score points."

Arians has tried to set the tone in the preseason, and it will likely continue tonight against the Redskins when Roethlisberger and the rest of the first-team offense will get more playing time.

Roethlisberger is expected to play approximately 20 plays against the Redskins. Batch will replace him and could play into the third quarter, depending on the amount of plays he receives.

But each has used their playing time to throw deep passes, particularly Batch, who threw a 49-yard pass to Holmes and a 41-yard touchdown to Walter Young in the loss to the Packers.

"We've been calling them," Batch said. "We've been practicing it a lot. By us showing we're able to do that, hopefully, it will soften up defenses and create more room for Willie Parker."

It remains to be seen if the Steelers will carry this big-play approach into the regular season, when play-calling tends to be more conservative. But, for now, Arians has not been hesitant to let his quarterbacks throw the ball down the field -- a trend he established on the second play of the first preseason game when Roethlisberger threw a 55-yard pass to Wilson to set up a touchdown.

"We used them to block so much in the past," Roethlisberger said of his receivers. "Hines is the best blocking receiver in the game, but people forget he's one of the best receiving wide receivers in the game. We're using him, and we're using them, wisely."

This year, Roethlisberger does not have to go far to get the plays from his coordinator. Arians is on the sideline and does not need a middle man to relay the plays. Last season, offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt sat in the press box and gave the plays to quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple, who relayed them to Roethlisberger.

"It's great," Roethlisberger said. "Last year, we played the phone game -- Whiz tells the play to coach Whipple and coach Whipple tells me. About the time I get the play there's about 15 seconds left on the play clock. Having Bruce on the sidelines to talk straight to me is great because we have more time on the play clock to make changes and make adjustments and make audibles."

As long as we don't turn into the Raiders "bombs away" offense where all we do is throw it downtown; then I'm excited to see us stretch the field and continue to find more ways to loosen up and slow down the opposing pass rush.

DIESELMAN

08-18-2007, 08:31 AM

We definitely have the QB and the receivers to go deep and make big plays. If we can show success in the deep game even in preseason, other teams will take notice and gameplan against it, which is a good thing cuz they will never know when its coming and it opens so much more on offense for us.

K Train

08-18-2007, 10:20 AM

is ****ing st pierre playing again tonight? damn i hate him

BlitzburghRockCity

08-18-2007, 10:33 AM

From what I heard Ben will play most of the first half, then Charlie will get a short stint and BSP will finish the game probably playing most of the 2nd half.

BlitzburghNation

08-18-2007, 11:21 AM

Would absolutley love too see some bomb connections to santonio & nate

At least the threat would open up major running lanes for FWP :tt02:

AZ_Steeler

08-18-2007, 02:31 PM

The deep ball is going to be vital for the Steelers to keep the defense off balance and provide that running attack. The only thing is they need ot make sure they mix it up a little better than they did last year to really keep the defense on their heels!

Koopa

08-18-2007, 03:43 PM

even the pitt media needs to remember this is a new era of coaching....... they question if it's gonna go back to conservative like the past or some **** in that article

well i don't think it will, cause we no longer have a coach who is a complete pussy in the clutch, a complete bum when it comes to play calling lol......... tomlin will let his coaches do their job, something cowher didn't do, that's why everything was so conservative, cause cowher was a pussy lol

i can't wait till next sunday when i finally get to see the steelers play on tv lol

K Train

08-18-2007, 04:03 PM

is it a national game against philly?

Black@Gold Forever32

08-18-2007, 04:05 PM

is it a national game against philly?

Yea it is...I think its on ESPN...if not ESPN then Fox or CBS

K Train

08-18-2007, 04:11 PM

nice, i have a feeling i wont be seeing tonights game

Koopa

08-18-2007, 05:05 PM

next sundays game will be on nbc

Black@Gold Forever32

08-18-2007, 05:08 PM

next sundays game will be on nbc

Yea NBC thats right...lol

digdug

08-18-2007, 05:58 PM

:stirpot: :stirpot: :dunno: :scratch:

Who really knows what is going to happen in the actual season - I know we all have seen this b4 - open it up in the preseason only to shut it down and lock it up during the regular season. Only thing that gives me a true hope is the fact that - during the XL run - Arians and Tomlin must have seen how the expanded offense had success, and let's hope Ben has that confidence (but not overconfidence) back. By the way - is anyone else disturbed by the fact that we have to look for the TE's because they aren't getting anything thrown their way - could we mix in a seam route once in a while.

You know youre gonna DigDug

BLACKNGOLD4LIFE

08-19-2007, 12:06 AM

i'm with u k train i

manofsteel

08-19-2007, 04:41 PM

Its time to open things up a bit. Im excited about that plus it will open up some lanes for Willie.

SteelerSteve

08-19-2007, 07:21 PM

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07230/810438-66.stm?cmpid=HBEHTML
As long as we don't turn into the Raiders "bombs away" offense where all we do is throw it downtown; then I'm excited to see us stretch the field and continue to find more ways to loosen up and slow down the opposing pass rush.:lol: yeah, the raiders kinda remind me of the kid you play against in madden who chooses the "Hail Mary" on every down:lol:
I'm really excited for this season, I think we will see a more wide open offense throughout, and be damn good at it. Possibly Ben's first pro-bowl??